Bills are 8-2 for the first time in over 30 years

[hondo in seattle]

2 hours ago, NewEra said:

So who do you think is the better DC, Spags or Frazier?

 

A long time ago when Frazier was Minnie's DC, I wanted him for our HC.  Then the Vikes promoted him to HC, he failed, and I reassessed. 

 

Afterwards, Frazier did a short stint at Tampa and wasn't asked to return.   

 

He seemed to do mostly good work with Buffalo and the players seemed to like and respect him.  But it's hard to say how much of that D was Frazier's and how much was McD's.  

 

Everything considered, I'd take Spags.  

[amprov56]

13 hours ago, hondo in seattle said:

 

After all these years, I still don't really know what to say to that.  No thanks are necessary but appreciated nonetheless.  

 

I give my thanks to all the guys who didn't come back alive and whole.  

Well put Hondo, I know where you are coming from!

[SoCal Deek]

It may have already been posted but when you include the winning string that ended last season  they are 14-3 in their last seventeen games. Not too shabby! 

[hondo in seattle]

1 hour ago, amprov56 said:

Well put Hondo, I know where you are coming from!

 

I was a cavalry troop XO during the first Gulf War.  One evening, deep in the Arabian desert before the shooting started, a bunch of soldiers were hanging out by the MKT (mobile kitchen trailer), drinking the coffee the mess sergeant had just made and shooting the breeze.   Then one soldier asked me about an article had seen written by a retired colonel saying that he expected American troops to suffer a 25%+ casualty rate in the upcoming war.  

 

"Since we're cavalry and the first ones in, what's our casualty rate going to be?  50%?  75%?"   

 

So we discussed the prospects of the coming war.  No one wanted to admit they were afraid.  No one directly said out loud what they were really worried about: bleeding out in the sand in this alien environment and never seeing their loved ones again.  But I understood what those fears were and did my best to reassure them without whitewashing the situation.  

 

But here are the vital facts:  No one complained.  I mean, there was always the normal soldier b*tching about the dust, flies, food, MOPP gear, and so on.  No one actually complained about the war itself or its dangers.  No one shirked.  No one held back.  They all did what they had to do.  

 

My service was nothing special.  But I'll always love and respect the guys I served with - and all those who serve.  

 

A belated Happy Veterans Day!

 

Edited November 12 by hondo in seattle

[amprov56]

1 hour ago, hondo in seattle said:

 

I was a cavalry troop XO during the first Gulf War.  One evening, deep in the Arabian desert before the shooting started, a bunch of soldiers were hanging out by the MKT (mobile kitchen trailer), drinking the coffee the mess sergeant had just made and shooting the breeze.   Then one soldier asked me about an article had seen written by a retired colonel saying that he expected American troops to suffer a 25%+ casualty rate in the upcoming war.  

 

"Since we're cavalry and the first ones in, what's our casualty rate going to be?  50%?  75%?"   

 

So we discussed the prospects of the coming war.  No one wanted to admit they were afraid.  No one directly said out loud what they were really worried about: bleeding out in the sand in this alien environment and never seeing their loved ones again.  But I understood what those fears were and did my best to reassure them without whitewashing the situation.  

 

But here are the vital facts:  No one complained.  I mean, there was always the normal soldier b*tching about the dust, flies, food, MOPP gear, and so on.  No one actually complained about the war itself or its dangers.  No one shirked.  No one held back.  They all did what they had to do.  

 

My service was nothing special.  But I'll always love and respect the guys I served with - and all those who serve.  

 

A belated Happy Veterans Day!

 

Back at you, I too served in Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Afghanistan, Iraq, Africa, South America and Asia, most after 9/11. From one veteran to another, thank you!

[hondo in seattle]

3 hours ago, amprov56 said:

Back at you, I too served in Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Afghanistan, Iraq, Africa, South America and Asia, most after 9/11. From one veteran to another, thank you!

Your resume puts mine to shame and I'm jealous.  Besides my time in the States, I did a year in Korea and then Desert Shield/Storm.  

 

When I joined the army in '86, none of us expected to do anything exciting.  The few Nam vets still in uniform were treated like unicorns.  But after 9/11 - your time - the world became a much more interesting place for our service men and women.  And the work you did is appreciated!

[Buffalo716]

11 hours ago, hondo in seattle said:

 

Spagnola is the right guy in the right place at the right time.

 

I agree with much of what you say.  But games are played by players and every coordinator struggles when he doesn't have good players on the field. 

 

It's true Spags was a bad head coach.  But the last time he was a real full-time HC was 13 years ago.  He may have learned something since.  In any case, he plays a different role now.  

 

Spags success as a DC isn't owned by Spags alone.  Reid builds the culture, authors the training schedule, and so on. 

 

But there's a saying that's been around since the pyramids that runs something like this, "It takes a village to build a SB team."  Spags plays a vital role in that village.  

 

Any good team with good coaches can get lucky and win a Lombardi.   The reason the Chiefs have won 3 recent SBs is because their village has Reid as the HC, Spags as the DC, and Mahomes as the QB.  It's a deadly combo.  

I can agree with that 

 

I don't think spags is bad by any measure, I just said I don't consider him a guru ... And historically his and Frazier's defenses are statistically the same 

 

You are right that he is in the right place at the right time and he's definitely got the mojo .. and he's taking his years of experience and he's putting a good product out there 

 

I 100% agree

13 hours ago, NewEra said:

No one ever said that he’s not better because he hasn’t beaten the chiefs-  strange idea tl lead with.  

there are stats to prove both sides of most arguments and this is really not worth my time to go back and forth with.   

I’ll just start and end with Spags’ defenses have 4 Lombaradi’s.  Frazier has none.  Spags shut down arguably the greatest offense in history while pulling off the biggest SB upset ever.  Holding them to 14 points. And then he won 3 more lombardis with a different team.  
 

Whether or not one was at better Hc or not is irrelevant. Whether or not they are considered elite like BB is irrelevant.  Spags will be in the HoF.  Frazier will not.

 

Feel however which way you like- I disagree and there isn’t a stat that could sway me to think Frazier is better.  Frazier was a very good DC.  We can leave it at that.  

 

 

 

I certainly respect your opinion and I will just say that spags will not be in the Hall of Fame 

 

He's not in the dick labeau category 

 

There are no defensive coordinators in the Hall of Fame either even dick went in as a player 

 

There are no purely coordinators in the hall and he's not going to be the first 

 

Other than that I do understand and respect your opinion and he certainly is good

Edited November 13 by Buffalo716

[Buffalo716]

12 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Hmm is there a single coordinator in the HoF? I'm sure this came up with Dick LeBeau when he retired (if ever a guy was HoF worthy for his work as a DC it's him) and the answer was no. 

There is not and he won't be 

 

Even dick who is the best pure coordinator went in as a player

[beerme1]

On 11/10/2024 at 4:16 PM, Augie said:

Who should be fired first? 

 

 

Everyone. FIRE EVERYONE!

[Fan in Chicago]

7 hours ago, hondo in seattle said:

 

 

My service was nothing special.  But I'll always love and respect the guys I served with - and all those who serve.  

 

A belated Happy Veterans Day!

 

A big thank you.

 

(No response necessary)

[Buffalo716]

14 hours ago, NewEra said:

So who do you think is the better DC, Spags or Frazier?

Football is not rigid it's very fluid... Today yes spags is certainly the better coordinator I agree with you 

 

5 years ago  I don't know anybody in the football community who thoughts spags was way better 

 

So yes I'll concede to you spags is better now but three five seven years ago Frazier was very respected.. in 2019-22 he certainly was considered a top defensive coordinator 

 

And has built a lot of game plans with a hurt defense missing a lot of pieces... 

 

Historically over 20 years that's why I say it's really too hard to tell.. right now I'll give it to you spags is better 

 

But Bobby Babbich is certainly an up-and-coming defensive guy and who knows where his learning from McDermott can take him... He certainly has a bright future

 

 

Edited November 13 by Buffalo716

[T master]

On 11/10/2024 at 3:10 PM, BillsFanForever19 said:

Really wanted this one today bc worst case scenario after the KC game is we're 8-3 - which is still REALLY f'n good!

 

Yes it is !! But if they win they will be 9 & 2 , does any one know when the last time or if ever that the Bills were 9 & 2 ? 🤔

[ganesh]

5 hours ago, T master said:

 

Yes it is !! But if they win they will be 9 & 2 , does any one know when the last time or if ever that the Bills were 9 & 2 ? 🤔

Looks like they never have been 9-2.  

In the 1993 season, the only year they were 8-2 to start the season, they lost their next TWO games one on the road and then at home.   Coincidentally, the 1st loss was against the Kansas City Chiefs on the road, a 23-7 whooping.   Then they lost a close game 24-25 at home against the Rams. 

[GoBillsForeverAndAlways]

This is a great season for us so far and it's amazing to hear it's our best start in over 30 years. Let's keep the streak going and have the best start we've ever had!